Audi RS5 Air Suspension Failure: Bellows Valve Issues

As someone with some experience working on luxury performance cars, I dealt with a very similar air suspension issue on my S5 (2019 model). The symptoms you describe match exactly what I encountered, uneven ride height, error messages, and that characteristic lean to one side that points to air spring problems. The air suspension system turned out to have a defective control valve that was preventing proper air distribution. The suspension issue caused the car to ride significantly lower on one side and the bumpy ride was quite noticeable, especially at higher speeds. After multiple diagnostic tests, my workshop identified the faulty valve in the suspension system and replaced it along with some connecting parts. The total repair came to 590 Euro, which included parts and labor. The fix completely resolved the problem and restored proper functionality to the air suspension. Could you share some additional details about your car: Build year, Current mileage, When did the symptoms first appear, Are you getting any specific error codes, Does the suspension behave differently in various driving modes This information would help determine if your issue is identical to what I experienced and whether you might be looking at a similar repair solution. The shock absorber system in these models is quite complex, and its best to address air spring problems quickly to prevent additional wear on other suspension components.

Thanks for the detailed response. My 2020 RS5 just had its annual service last month. I noticed the issue about a week after that when trying to lift the car. The suspension failure warning comes up as Error Code 84952 in all drive modes. The shock absorber assembly seems to be making clunking noises now too when going over bumps. Since the car is still under warranty, I should probably take it back to the dealer rather than risk voiding coverage by going to an independent shop.

Yes, definitely take it to the dealer while under warranty. This sounds very similar to my S5 situation, but the clunking noise suggests it might be more serious than just the bellows valve I dealt with. After my valve replacement, I actually started hearing similar clunking sounds a few months later, which turned out to be wear on the air spring assembly caused by the initial suspension issue. The error code you mentioned typically relates to the air suspension control system. When my ride height sensors were affected, they triggered similar codes. Given that this started after service, they might have disturbed something while working on the car. One thing I learned from my experience, dont try adjusting the suspension settings manually when these symptoms appear. This can worsen the problem and potentially damage other components in the air suspension system. The good news is that warranty should cover all repair costs. My 590 Euro repair would have been much higher if the air spring assembly needed replacement too. The dealer should be able to properly diagnose whether its just the bellows valve or if there are additional suspension issues causing those clunking sounds.

Since my car is under warranty, I think I'll schedule an appointment with the dealer this week. These pneumatic suspension issues seem pretty common, and the clunking from the shock absorber definitely has me worried about potential suspension failure. Thanks for sharing your experience, its helpful to know the error codes and symptoms match what others have seen. The ride height is getting worse by the day, especially on the passenger side, so I dont want to risk any additional damage to the air spring system by waiting too long. Really hoping the dealer can sort this out quickly since the car is basically my daily driver. Will update once I know what they find during the diagnostic check.